Hartselle teams earn state tourney bids

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Two of Hartselle’s four Dixie Softball League all-star teams will move on to state competition after claiming district tournament titles in their respective age divisions.
The 9-10 Angels defeated host Decatur 21-8 Monday night in the finals of District I. They will go on to compete in a state tournament at Lagoon Park in Montgomery July 18.
The 11-12 Ponytails won their district by defeating Underwood 8-6 in a nine-inning games at Lexington Saturday night. They will also compete in the state tournament in Montgomery on July 18.
The Angels reached the finals without a loss, defeating Underwood 6 -1 in the opening round of district play on Thursday night and followed up on Friday night with a 10 -7 decision over Decatur.
Ponytails
Hartselle 14, Tuscumbia 0
Hartselle routed Tuscumbia 14-0 Saturday night in the District 1 championship game in Lexington to earn a spot in the state tournament in Montgomery.
Hartselle scored four runs in the first inning and added three runs in the fourth inning.
Hartselle broke the game open with seven runs in the fifth inning.
Kaylee McKissack, Leah Stephenson both had two hits to lead Hartselle. Amberly Anderson and Haley Jared each had a double, while Ashley Boggs, McKenzie Waddell, Jada Hayes and Sarah Ellen Battles all added singles.
Anderson and Riley McClellan combined for the shutout.
Anderson had five strikeouts in four innings of work while limiting Tuscumbia to just two hits. Riley finished up the fifth for Hartselle.
Hartselle 6, Underwood 4
Hartselle scored twice in the ninth inning to beat Underwood in the semifinals.
Ashley Boggs, Madeline Sittason and Leah Roberts finished with two hits each for Hartselle, while Amberley Anderson, Haley Jared and Sarah Ellen Battles each added singles.
Jared allowed just one run in six innings of work. She finished with six strikeouts.
Hartselle 2, Tuscumbia 0
Amberly Anderson, Haley Jared and Ashley Boggs teammed up for a 2-0 shutout of Tuscumbia in the opening round of the tournament.
Tuscumbia didn’t record a base hit in the game.
Madeline Sittason, Boggs, Anderson, Jared and Jada Hayes finished with hits in the Hartselle win.
Dixie Belles
Brooks 4, Hartselle 2
Brooks picked up a 4-2 win over Hartselle in the loser’s bracket of the Dixie Belles (13-15) district tournament at Coburn Field in Tuscumbia Monday night.
Brooks advanced to the championship game of the tournament with the win over Hartselle.
Mu. Shoals 9, Hartselle 1
Muscle Shoals pounded out 10 hits to hand Hartselle its first loss of the Dixie Belles (13-15) district tournament at Coburn Field in Tuscumbia.
Hartselle scored its only run of the game in the sixth inning with a pair of singles from Heather Waddell and Amberly Terry.
Haley Patterson led off the inning by reaching on an error and Jaden Davis followed with a single. Patterson was forced out on a fielder’s choice by Zana Malcolm.
Waddell’s single loaded the bases with one out. After another fielder’s choice, Terry singled in the lone Hartselle run.
Hartselle loaded the bases in the seventh after Tamra Lampkin singled and Patterson was hit by a pitch with two outs.
Muscle Shoals ended the threat by getting a Hartselle ground out to short to end the game.
Hartselle opened the tournament with a 12-6 win.over Decatur to earn the shot to face Muscle Shoals in the winner’s bracket.